May 10, 2011
Following a request from Prime Minister Kan Naoto, Chubu Electric Power Corporation on May 9 decided to shut down its Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Based on this decision, the Hamaoka nuclear power station will suspend operations at its No. 4 and No.5 nuclear reactors and will postpone the resumption of operation of its No.3 reactor where a regular maintenance inspection is being conducted. Its No.1 and No.2 nuclear reactors are not operating and are scheduled to be decommissioned.
Prime Minister Kan Naoto on May 6 requested Chubu Electric to stop operating all Hamaoka nuclear reactors until long- and mid-term disaster-prevention measures are taken at the plant because it is situated right at the epicenter of a possible Tokai earthquake.
Chubu Electric President Mizuno Akihisa in a press conference on May 9 said, “The prime minister’s request carried significant weight.” However, he maintained a firm position to restart Hamaoka’s nuclear reactors when preventive measures against tsunami will be completed.
The Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion of the Science and Technology Ministry predicted that there is an 87% possibility of a magnitude 8.0 earthquake hitting the Tokai region, where the Hamaoka nuclear power station is located, within the next 30 years.
The Japanese Communist Party for the past 30 years has called for the shutdown of the Hamaoka plant. In addition, residents near the Hamaoka nuclear power plant have increased their movement demanding full shutdown. Many seismologists have insisted that the Hamaoka plant shouldn’t have been constructed there in the first place.
Saegusa Toyoaki, a former Chubu Electric worker and a representative of the local citizens’ movement against N-power plants, said, “I recognize Chubu Electric’s decision to shut down the Hamaoka plant as a positive step. However, the Chubu Electric president’s attitude at the press conference showed that the company still believes the Hamaoka plant is safe and that it accepted the government’s request with extreme reluctance. This proves that the company’s stance relying on the ‘safety myth’ has not changed at all.”
He expressed his determination to continue to fight, saying, “Aiming to achieve a complete shutdown of the Hamaoka plant and decommissioning of the reactors, we will increase our movement actions.”
Based on this decision, the Hamaoka nuclear power station will suspend operations at its No. 4 and No.5 nuclear reactors and will postpone the resumption of operation of its No.3 reactor where a regular maintenance inspection is being conducted. Its No.1 and No.2 nuclear reactors are not operating and are scheduled to be decommissioned.
Prime Minister Kan Naoto on May 6 requested Chubu Electric to stop operating all Hamaoka nuclear reactors until long- and mid-term disaster-prevention measures are taken at the plant because it is situated right at the epicenter of a possible Tokai earthquake.
Chubu Electric President Mizuno Akihisa in a press conference on May 9 said, “The prime minister’s request carried significant weight.” However, he maintained a firm position to restart Hamaoka’s nuclear reactors when preventive measures against tsunami will be completed.
The Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion of the Science and Technology Ministry predicted that there is an 87% possibility of a magnitude 8.0 earthquake hitting the Tokai region, where the Hamaoka nuclear power station is located, within the next 30 years.
The Japanese Communist Party for the past 30 years has called for the shutdown of the Hamaoka plant. In addition, residents near the Hamaoka nuclear power plant have increased their movement demanding full shutdown. Many seismologists have insisted that the Hamaoka plant shouldn’t have been constructed there in the first place.
Saegusa Toyoaki, a former Chubu Electric worker and a representative of the local citizens’ movement against N-power plants, said, “I recognize Chubu Electric’s decision to shut down the Hamaoka plant as a positive step. However, the Chubu Electric president’s attitude at the press conference showed that the company still believes the Hamaoka plant is safe and that it accepted the government’s request with extreme reluctance. This proves that the company’s stance relying on the ‘safety myth’ has not changed at all.”
He expressed his determination to continue to fight, saying, “Aiming to achieve a complete shutdown of the Hamaoka plant and decommissioning of the reactors, we will increase our movement actions.”
